I use primarily Hickory, but then again, I'm not a native Texan. I was born and raised in Louisiana, where pecan and oak are the preferred woods. However, my mom's side of the family are from Eastern Kentucky, where Hickory is preferred. I've eaten good Q smoked with Mesquite, but I think the flavor is more acrid than with some of the more mellow woods. Pecan is hard to come by where I am, but I can get Hickory blocks in bags at Lowes. I'm happy with the flavor and the results.

Gonna have to Say Clem Mikeska's in Temple Texas. Buttered Potatoes, Fresh Brisket, Ribs, Sausage, and ham. I tell ya, all I needed was my Gates BBQ sauce, and it would have been perfect. But for me, the best Texas BBQ place is Clem Mikeska's.

I've only eaten at Clem Mikeska's in Temple once and that was enough. The meat was dry and overcooked - the peach cobbler was nasty - overcooked, dough like hard-tack, and the peach filling was like it had been stretched with some kind of starch/sugar mix. That was about 12:30 on a Satruday.

I have had their BBQ at a function when it was catered in. It was a better, but certainly not the best I've had. It was VERY average.

I am on company business in San Antonio in early October for a week and need to taste some authentic TX BBQ while I am there.
Any suggestions?
I will be renting a car so I am willing to travel.
Thanks all !